Why Does My Cat Follow Me? The Answer May Surprise You

If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably asked yourself the same question I’ve asked myself over the years, “Why does my cat follow me?”

The answer may surprise you. It’s not because they are purposely trying to annoy you, and it’s not because they are bored and have nothing better to do. In fact, you will be happy to know that when they follow you, they are giving you their highest compliments.

Showing Affection

While cats won’t give you wet, slopping kisses like Fido will, they have their own unique ways of showing affection for their humans. When they follow you from room to room, they are showing you that they want to be with you.

Some cats are more social than others, but at some point, they will all make it known that they have accepted you into their cat-circle and that you are good enough to be in the same room with them.

It’s important to note that they do not intend to trip you on the stairs, or stop you from moving forward into the next room; that’s just their way of saying, “I love you.” When they tag along, stop and give them the love they crave. A rub under the chin or behind the ears can go a long way to making your cat feel wanted and loved.

They’re Hungry

Of course, the reason your cat follows you into the room could be much more simplistic – they’re hungry and they want to be fed – now! Cats are not very patient creatures and they will let you know when they want something. So if they are following you around, check their food and water dish to make sure they are full and contain the brand that they like.

Cats are notorious for being finicky, so if you’ve given them a new brand of cat food that has gone unappreciated, they will definitely let you know. Feeding them regularly is not only part of being a responsible cat owner; it helps build trust between you and your cat.

They Want To Help You With Your Task

The ASPCA uses ‘feline-ability’ to label the many different cat personalities. If your cat is a ‘personal assistants’, then they will want to help you with all of your human tasks, particularly when you are sitting in front of a computer!

Whether you’re typing away or trying the read the screen, they will settle themselves as close to you as possible so they can have a better look at what you’re doing.

Unless your cat is labeled as anti-social, you can rely on your feline being with you as you complete your work throughout the day. An exception to this rule would be if your cat is advanced in age, and spends much of the day sleeping (more so than usual).

Meowing While In Tow

Cats don’t meow for just anyone. They save this for only their most trusted humans. If they are following you around while making loud meowing noises, they want your attention and they want it now.

When a cat meows at you, they are telling you that they trust you, love you and want to spend time with you. Don’t be surprised if, when you sit down, your cat jumps on your lap and settles in for a while. Once they’re comfortable, the meowing will stop and the purring will begin.

They May Feel Vulnerable

While cats are known as hunters and predators, they can also be prey due to their size, and your cat knows this. When you leave the room, they may feel vulnerable being left all alone. Your cat sees you as their guardian and protector, and will not want to leave your side.

They Are Territorial

Cats know that they own your house (even though you pay the mortgage) and they want to know where you’re going in their domain.

If you enter a room and close the door (such as the bathroom) you know that they will quickly pry it open with their paws to see what’s going on inside. Cats are also contrarians – they want what they can’t have. A closed door is just too much for them and they must rectify the situation at all costs!

Other Signs Of Affection

Slow blinking, lying with their belly up and purring are all other signs of affection, and cats save these activities for only those that they trust. You may think that the slow-blinking is a sign that they’re bored with you, but actually, it’s a sign that they trust you and that you’re not a threat.

Having your cat follow you around all day may seem like an annoyance – particularly if they make youtrip or stumble – but don’t be annoyed, be grateful. Do you have a cat that likes to follow you around the house all day? How do you deal with your feline follower?​

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Hi, I’m Annie Anderson and I am a cat lover at heart. I don’t ever remember living without a cat and I have dedicated my adult life to making sure my cats stay healthy and happy, and trying to understand their behavior patterns. Because they are such complex creatures, I have come to rely on other cat owners to give me tips and tricks.

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